Health Min to Central govt hospitals: Provide generic drugs

New Delhi: Union Health Ministry today
directed the Central government hospitals to provide only good
quality generic medicines and whenever a branded drug is
prescribed, it shall also be mentioned that any other
equivalent generic drug could also be provided.

The decision came as it was observed that doctors in
the Central government hospitals and autonomous institutions
under the ministry prescribe specific brands of medicines
quite often with a rider that no substitute should be
supplied.

"Instances have also come to notice where the
prescribed drug was very expensive and cheaper substitutes
were available. However, the patient did not have any choice
but to produce the prescribed drug," a statement said.

"It is observed that generic drugs are usually much
cheaper than branded drugs. Central Government hospitals must
provide only good quality generic medicines. It has been
decided that whenever any branded drug is prescribed in the
above mentioned institutions, it shall invariably also be
mentioned that any other equivalent generic drug could also be
provided," it said.

For instance, it said, if the prescription is for
Tablet Crocin, then the prescription should read as `Tablet
Crocin` or any other equivalent drug. The hospital would then
have the flexibility of providing generic equivalents of the
prescribed medicine.